Korg DS-DAC-100 – high-quality USB DAC for stereo sound reproduction with 192 kHz, 24 bits and support of DSD for 320 USD

External USB digital to analogue converter Korg DS-DAC-100
External USB digital to analogue converter Korg DS-DAC-100

Among high-quality USB audio interfaces of Korg there is a Korg DS-DAC-100 – external Digital to Analogue Converter, able to reproduce stereo sound with 192 kHz sampling rate, 24 bits precision and with support of native hardware decoding of DSD signal for 320 USD. Besides maximal frequency and precision it also supports 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 and 176.4 kHz and 16 bits. On its frontal panel there are TRS 1/4″ jack output for headphones, volume control and work and chosen sampling rate indicators. On back panel of device there are : USB 2.0 Type B port for connection to computer and powering, unbalanced RCA left and right outputs, as well as balanced XLR left and right outputs.

External USB digital to analogue converter Korg DS-DAC-100 ( back panel )
External USB digital to analogue converter Korg DS-DAC-100 ( back panel )

Korg DS-DAC-100 supports hardware decoding of DSD sound and PCM signal playback via ASIO 2.0, WDM and Core Audio interfaces in Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X operating systems via specialized drivers. Digital to analogue conversions are handled by Cirrus Logic CS4398 processor with following characteristics : THD+N 0.005%, signal to noise ratio 105 dB and working frequencies range 10 Hz – 40 kHz ( with +- 1 dB deviation ). Linear outputs of device have following characteristics : impedance is 10 kOhms, nominal signal level -6 – +6 dBV; headphones output : 16 Ohms impedance and maximal power 85 + 85 mW with 32 Ohms impedance. Korg DS-DAC-100 draws maximum 2.5 W of energy and 500 mA of current, its sizes are 207 ( width ) x 160 ( depth ) x 60 ( height ) mm and mass is 862 g.

Package contains monitor dynamic headphones PHONON SMB-02 DS-DAC EDITION, Korg DS-DAC-100 can decode in hardware DSD sound with 2.8224 or 5.6448 MHz encoding frequencies. Also in package with Korg DS-DAC-100 digital to analogue converter there are : USB cable, 3 spikes-pins, optical disk with drivers and software, warranty card and user’s guide.

From one side : DAC is quite good and has good audio characteristics, native hardware DSD sound decoding and high-quality digital and analogue components; but from the other side in technical area it is no better, than even entry and middle level professional studio audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio, Alesis and other companies. Which often are far better, than it in digital and analogue specifications, have much larger amount of output channels, have professional inputs for recording of high-quality audio, MIDI connectors and digital inputs and outputs, as well as loads of other functions, and cost 1.5 – 2 times cheaper, than Korg DS-DAC-100. So, purchasing of this device has no big sense, because human will not be able to hear difference between software sound decoding and playback on professional studio audio interface and its native decoding and playback via Korg DS-DAC-100 – whatever its manufacturer would marketingly say in this respect.

Korg – is a Japanese company, founded in 1962 year in Tokyo, previously it was known under names Keio Gijutsu Kenkyujo Ltd. and Keio Electronic Laboratories. It produces MIDI keyboards and other musical controllers, audio processors, electronic tuners, audio interfaces and other sound equipment. Under Vox brand name it also manufactures electric guitars and amplifiers for them. Currently company is one of the largest world manufacturers of audio devices with rich history of production of high-quality musical instruments, which are used by artists and musicians in studios and on concerts all around the world.

ESI U168 XT – new USB audio interface with 96 kHz, 24 bits, dynamic range up to 112 dB and digital S/PDIF connectors

USB audio interface ESI U168XT
USB audio interface ESI U168XT

Company ESI continues to release new interesting sound devices and this time brings mirth with professional USB audio interface U168 XT with support of 96 kHz and 24 bits work mode, dynamic range up to 112 dB and digital S/PDIF inputs and outputs. It has 16 inputs and 8 outputs, which can be used simultaneously; also it supports 44.1, 48 and 88.2 kHz sampling rates. On frontal panel of device there are : 4 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone inputs ( first 2 of them can work in instrumental Hi-Z mode ), switch on and phantom power +48 V plugging buttons, gain control knob and work indicators for each of them. Mono work mode of inputs switches, their work modes indicators and volume control knobs for inputs 1 – 8 and 9 – 16 and outputs 1 – 8 on back panel; 2 TRS 1/4″ jack outputs for monitor headphones, their volume controls, these ports switch on buttons; and power button with indicator.

USB audio interface ESI U168XT ( back panel )
USB audio interface ESI U168XT ( back panel )

On back panel of ESI U168 XT there are : 16th channels MIDI input and output; power adapter +12 V input and USB port for connection to computer; coaxial digital S/PDIF RCA input and output; mixed left and righ TRS 1/4″ jack outputs; 8 linear TRS 1/4″ jack outputs; and 16 more inputs with the same type of connectors. Audio interface performs analogue to digital conversions with 107 dB dynamic range and digital to analogue with 112 dB range, which are very good values for sound devices; its sizes are 45 ( width ) x 14,5 ( depth ) x 4,5 ( height ) cm; it is powered from power line adapter, which is included in the package. Manufacturer does not tell what mass device has, but, presumably, it is around 1 kg. Also, ESI does not tell in which mode inputs and outputs work, it seems, that they work only in unbalanced mode.

ESI U168 XT works in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 operating systems with support of ASIO 2.0, MME, WDM and DirectSound interfaces; as well as in Mac OS X 10.7 and newer with support of Core Audio interface. Through them device interacts with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. Audio device will be available for purchase in shops at the end of this Summer.

With device programs Image-Line Deckadance LE and DAW Bitwig 8-Track are supplied. First of them is a DJs’ console and mixer, which can work as stand-alone program and as VST plugin with connection to DAW or other program. Second of them is entry-level DAW, which allow to work with sounds and MIDI notes on up to 8 tracks with ability to record analogue audio and connect different VST instruments and effects. Also it has sounds and presets, selected from professional Bitwig Studio Library, and supports automation and built-in Open Controller Scripting API for advanced control and processing. Bitwig 8-Track is a simplified version of Bitwig Studio and takes 5 GB of disk space, it downloads additional modules from Internet during setup.

Package contains : USB audio interface ESI U168XT itself, USB cable, optical disk with drivers and programs, warranty card and user’s guide. Audio interface is great : it has good digital part, large amount of connectors and parameters controls, as well as MIDI input and output and digital coaxial S/PDIF connectors. Wherein its analogue part is better, than many other audio interfaces of this level have. There is ability to anticipate, that ESI will set optimal price on it and it ‘ll be very competitive among audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio, Alesis and other companies production.

Company ESI was founded in Germany in 2006 year, mainly it produces audio interfaces, loudspeakers and other sound equipment. Its products are notable for high quality and acceptable prices, currently offices and facilities of company are located in a couple of countries of the world.

Alesis iO Hub – USB audio interface with 2 inputs, 2 outputs, phantom power +48 V and Direct Monitor

USB audio interface Alesis iO Hub
USB audio interface Alesis iO Hub

Among compact and functional USB audio interfaces there is a Alesis iO Hub – device with 2 inputs, 2 outputs, phantom power +48 V and Direct Monitor. On its frontal panel there are : power indicator, gain control knobs for both inputs, phantom power +48 V switch for first one, second input can be switched between microphone/linear and instrumental Hi-Z modes via according switch; volume control for headphones with Direct Monitor function switch; and volume control of device main outputs. On top of interface there are : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/linear inputs; analogue TRS 1/4″ jack left and right outputs; and TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones output.

USB audio interface Alesis iO Hub ( frontal panel )
USB audio interface Alesis iO Hub ( frontal panel )

Alesis iO Hub can be powered from USB port or battery, which can be placed in special bay, for work with mobile devices ( tablet PCs and notebooks ) without load on their batteries. Manufacturer does not tell with which parameters device works, most probably, it should support at least 48 kHz and 24 bits work mode. USB interface is a Class Compliant and does not require additional drivers in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X, also it can work with Apple iPad with use of Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit, which should be bought separately. And can interact in them with DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others; device’s body is made from metal for increased durability and decrease of electro-magnetic interference.

Package contains : USB audio interface Alesis iO Hub itself, USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. By the compact sizes, connectors amount and convenient controls interfaces is good; how good it is overall there is ability to say by its sampling rate, digital to analogue and analogue to digital conversions precision from user’s manual; THD+N, noise level and dynamic range of inputs and outputs; and its price. There is also ability to look on other USB audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio, Alesis and other companies production, to chose from them one, which is the most optimal for set tasks.

Focusrite iTrack Solo – USB audio interface with 96 kHz and 105 dB dynamic range, oriented for Apple iPad

USB audio interface Focusrite iTrack Solo
USB audio interface Focusrite iTrack Solo

Among devices, oriented on use with Apple iPad, there is an USB audio interfaces Focusrite iTrack Solo with support of 96 kHz work mode and 105 dB dynamic range of digital to analogue and analogue to digital conversions. On frontal panel of device there are : microphone/linear XLR input with phantom power +48 V switch and gain control knob; TRS 1/4″ jack instrumental Hi-Z input with signal gain control; output volume control, USB connection activity indicator, Direct Monitor function switch and TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones output. On back panel of Focusrite iTrack Solo there is ability to find : Kensington Lock slot, USB 2.0 port for connection to computer and powering, Device Link port for connection to Apple iPad and left and right linear RCA outputs.

USB audio interface Focusrite iTrack Solo ( back panel )
USB audio interface Focusrite iTrack Solo ( back panel )

Manufacturer does not tell with which precision device works, but, the most probably, it supports 24 bits per sample. Focusrite iTrack Solo uses only internal timings and does not synchronize with external devices; dynamic range of its digital modules is 114 dB, with accounting of analogue part it goes down to 105 dB; inputs isolation and outputs isolation are 90 dB, isolation of inputs from outputs is an 85 dB. Microphone input of audio interface works with THD+N value, equal to 0.002 % and noise level -120 dB; for instrumental inputs the same parameters are equal, accordingly, to : 0.003 % and -87 dB; THD+N of analogue outputs is a 0.001 %, they can work in balanced mode. Focusrite iTrack Solo works in Mac OS X without additional drivers, in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 it requires them; in these OSes it works with support of Core Audio and ASIO 2.0 interfaces, accordingly, for interaction with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others.

With Focusrite iTrack Solo DAW Ableton Live Lite 9 and VST/AU plugins package Focusrite Scarlett are supplied; its body is made from metal for better durability and electro-magnetic interference amount reduction. Device’s body sizes are 150 ( width ) x 100 ( depth ) x 45 ( height ) mm and mass is 500 g; package with Focusrite iTrack Solo contains : 1.2 m USB cable, 1.2 m Device Link cable for connection to 30 pins Apple iPad port, USB power adapter ( depending on country ), warranty card, user’s guide and cards for software downloading. There are 2 modifications of device : Focusrite iTrack Solo Lightning, compatible with Apple iPad mini, iPad mini with Retina display, iPad 4th generation and iPad Air; as well as usual version Focusrite iTrack Solo, compatible Apple iPad 1st, 2nd and 3rd generations.

For its compact sizes device is great : it has wide enough dynamic range, good channels isolation. good THD+N and noise level values of outputs and inputs, enough amount of connectors for mobile use, as well as good audio programs bundled with it. Among close to Focusrite iTrack Solo USB audio interfaces there are also good devices of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio, Alesis and other companies production with close characteristics; there is ability to choose from them one, that fits the most to intended use.

Steinberg UR22mkII – USB audio interface with 192 kHz, 24 bits, 101 dB dynamic range, 2 inputs and 2 outputs

USB audio interface Steinberg UR22mkII
USB audio interface Steinberg UR22mkII

Company Steinberg presented new modification of one of its entry-level USB audio interfaces UR22mkII, supporting 192 kHz and 24 bits work mode, 101 dB dynamic range, and having 2 inputs, 2 outputs and 2 inputs preamplifiers Yamaha D-PRE Class-A. On its frontal panel there are : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/linear inputs with volume control knobs, clip indicators, common phantom power +48 V LED light and USB connection activity signaler; 2nd input can work in instrumental Hi-Z mode and there is according switch button. Also on it there are : mix controller analogue inputs/signal from digital USB connection; TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones output with volume control; and main interface outputs’ volume control knob.

USB audio interface Steinberg UR22mkII ( back panel )
USB audio interface Steinberg UR22mkII ( back panel )

On back panel of Steinberg UR22mkII there are can be found : power adapter input and USB port for connection to computer and powering, as well as power from one of these connectors selector; MIDI input and output; phantom power for inputs of interface switch; and left and right linear TRS 1/4″ jack outputs. Device supports functions True Integrated Monitoring in DAW Steinberg Cubase, Loopback for mixing of digital and analogue signals and their returning to computer for subsequent streaming; and is a Class Compliant – compatible with Apple iPad via Apple Camera Connection Kit adapter. Audio interface works in Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X 10.7 and newer via specialized drivers with support of ASIO 2.0, WDM and Core Audio interfaces, via which interacts with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others.

Besides main sampling rate, Steinberg UR22mkII also supports 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 and 176.4 kHz; all analogue inputs and outputs of device can work in balanced and unbalanced modes, except of instrumental Hi-Z inputs, which work only in unbalanced mode. Working frequencies range of microphone inputs equals to 20 Hz – 22 kHz ( with deviation +0.1 dB / -0.3 dB ), dynamic range is 101 dB ( A-Weighted ), THD+N – 0.0035%, maximal input signal level is – +4 dB, input impedance is 4 kOhms and gain levels are in +6 – +60 dB range. Linear inputs have following characteristics : maximal input signal level is +24 dB, impedance is 20 kOhms, gain levels range is -14 – +40 dB. Instrumental Hi-Z inputs : maximal input signal level is 8.5 dB, impednace is 1 MOhm, gain levels are in -0.7 – +53.3 dB range. Linear outputs specifications are : working frequencies range equals to 20 Hz – 22 kHz ( with deviation +0.1 dB / -0.3 dB ), dynamic range is 104 dB ( A-Weighted ), THD+N 0.005%, maximal output signal level is +10 dB and impedance is 150 Ohms. Maximal power, which Steinberg UR22mkII can give to headphones equals to 6 + 6 mW with 40 Ohms impedance; device draws maximum 2.5 W of energy.

For installation of DAW Cubase AI there is need in connection to Internet for downloading of additional data with 500 MB size. Steinberg UR242 supports following DSP effects : Latency-free monitoring with FX ( dspMixFx ), True Integrated Monitoring with FX in Cubase, Guitar Amp Classics, REV-X Reverb, Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip, Phase switch per channel and High-Pass filter. Cubase AI – is a simplified version of professional DAW of Steinberg, it is based on the same audio engine with 32-bits float precision of calculations; can work simultaneously with 32 sound tracks, 48 MIDI tracks and 16 instrumental tracks with ability to record completed compositions to disk in WAV and AIFF formats, and in MP3 after purchsing of according module. For audio and MIDI editing in program following editors are built-in : Key, Score and Drum, pitch-shift instrument AudioWarp with support of ACID files format, which allows to use large amount of already created sounds samples, and Chord Track editor. 28 VST effects and processors are built into it for work with sounds, sampling synthesizer instrument HALion Sonic SE with 180 sound; mixing console with 4 Inserts and 4 Sends for each track and equalizer. DAW Cubase AI can work in 32 and 64 bits operating systems Windows and Mac OS X.

Sizes of Steinberg UR22mkII are 159 ( width ) x 46 ( height ) x 159 ( depth ) mm and mass is 1.03 kg; its body is completely made from aluminum with black and silver coloring for increased durability and reduction of electro-magnetic interference. With interface DAW Steinberg Cubase AI is supplied, owners of Apple iPad can download from Apple App Store DAW Cubasis LE; package with Steinberg UR22mkII contains : USB cable, optical disks with drivers and programs, warranty card and user’s guide.

All in all interface UR22mkII is great and fits very well to small or in-home studios; there is ability to anticipate, that Steinberg will not set high price for device and it can be recommended for purchase. There is also ability to look on other USB audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio, Alesis and other companies production, but this one – is one of the best among them.

Steinberg – is a German company – creator of DAWs, VST effects, processors and instruments and also of audio interfaces, being based in Hamburg. It was established in 1984 year and now is being owned by Yamaha Corporation from 2004 year. At current moment Steinberg is one of the leading audio equipment and programs manufacturers in the world, for example, its professional DAW, instruments and hardware are used by following musicians : Hans Zimmer, Junkie XL, Justice, Kraftwerk, New Order and others.

Behringer U-PHORIA UMC22 – new USB audio interface with 48 kHz, MIDAS preamplifier, 2 inputs and 2 outputs

USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UMC22
USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UMC22

Company Behringer released new USB audio interface of entry level U-PHORIA UMC22, supporting 48 kHz and 24 or 16 bits work mode ( manufacturer does not tell which precision it supports, but, probably, it should support 24 bits ) and having MIDAS preamplifier, 2 inputs and 2 outputs. On its frontal panel there are : combined XLR/TRS 1/4 jack microphone/linear input; TRS 1/4 jack instrumental Hi-Z input; their volume control knobs with signal and clip indicators; Direct Monitor function switch; outputs volume control; power and phantom pwer +48 V indicators, as well as TRS 1/4 jack monitor headphones output. On back panel of device there are : USB port for connection to computer and powering, phantom power switch, Kensington Lock slot and left and right TRS 1/4 jack linear outputs.

USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UMC22 ( back panel )
USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UMC22 ( back panel )

Dynamic range of Behringer U-PHORIA UMC22 equals to 100 dB, all its connectors work only in un balanced mode; audio interface can work in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces, accordingly. Which allow it to interact with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. After purchase there is ability to download from manufacturer’s website program for work with sound and more than 150 VST/AU instruments and effects. Behringer U-PHORIA UMC22 sizes are 46.45 ( height ) x 163 ( width ) x 125 ( depth ) mm and mass is 0.5 kg, its body is made from aluminum for increased durability and reduced electro-magnetic interference.

Package with Behringer U-PHORIA UMC22 contains : USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. From one side, audio interface is good enough, has entry-level studio characteristics, connectors and controllers and small sizes; from the other side, there are more functional compact audio interface, for example, ESI UGM96. So, this audio interface can be recommended for purchase only, if its price is much less than of competitors; otherwise it is better to look on other entry level audio interface of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio, Alesis and other companies production.

M-Audio M-Track Eight – 24 bits and 96 kHz USB audio interface with 8 inputs and dynamic range up to 113 dB

USB audio interface M-Audio M-Track Eight
USB audio interface M-Audio M-Track Eight

Company M-Audio presented its new USB audio interface M-Track Eight with 24 bits and 96 kHz work mode support, 8 inputs and dynamic range up to 113 dB. On its frontal panel there are : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/linear/instrumental Hi-Z inputs; screen, showing inputs signal levels with clip indication, volume controls for inputs 1 – 8 and instrumental work mode switches for inputs 1 – 2; phantom power +48 V enabling buttons; Direct Monitor work mode switch, monitor outputs volume control and TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones outputs ( 1 and 2 ) with channels selectors and volume controls. Additionally there are main outputs volume control knob, power button and mono mode and additional control buttons. On back panel of audio interface there are placed : USB port for connection to computer; power adapter input; grounding connector; monitor TRS 1/4″ jack analogue outputs ( 1 and 2 ); 8 analogue outputs of the same type; and 6 more combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/linear inputs.

USB audio interface M-Audio M-Track Eight ( back panel )
USB audio interface M-Audio M-Track Eight ( back panel )

All analogue inputs and outputs of M-Audio M-Track Eight can work in balanced mode, except of instrumental mode of first 2 inputs; analogue inputs are connected to Octane Preamplifiers. Microphone inputs have 111 dB dynamic range, 111 dB signal to noise ratio and THD+N of 0.002 %; for linear inputs these parameters are equal, accordingly, to : 112 dB, 111 dB and 0.002 %; and for instrumental inputs : 112 dB, 111 dB and 0.001 %. Monitor outputs have dynamic range of 112 dB and THD+N 0.003 %; linear outputs have the same parameters equal to 113 dB and 0.004 %, accordingly. Device draws 19 V and 2.37 A current, its body is made from aluminum, sizes are 483 ( width ) x 150 ( depth ) x 43 ( height ) mm and mass is 1.98 kg.

M-Audio M-Track Eight works in Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 via special drivers and in Mac OS X 10.7.5 and newer without additional drivers via Plug and Play, with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces, accordingly. Through which it interacts with modern DAWs : Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER and others. With device programs DAW Cubase 7 LE and VST/AU Waves Plugin Bundle ( AudioTrack, Eddie Kramer Effect Channel, TrueVerb, L1 Ultramaximizer and Manny Marroquin Delay ) are supplied.

Package with M-Audio M-Track Eight contains : USB cable, power adapter, disks with drivers and programs, warranty card and user’s guide. Audio interface is aimed for professional work in large studios and has large connectors and functions amounts and high characteristics, its price at the time of appearance in shops will be according. For high quality sounds and music reproduction or work in small or medium studios there is ability to buy much cheaper entry and middle level USB audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio, Alesis and other companies production.

Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 – new USB audio interface with 48 kHz, 100 dB dynamic range and 1 XENYX preamplifier

USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UM2
USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UM2

Company Behringer released new USB audio interface of entry-level U-PHORIA UM2 with 48 kHz sampling rate, 100 dB dynamic range and 1XENYX preamplifier. Manufacturer does not tell with which precision device works, but the most probably with 24 bits; on frontal panel of device there are : combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/linear input and TRS 1/4″ jack instrumental Hi-Z input with signal and clip indicators, Direct Monitor function switch, power and phantom power +48 V indicators, as well as TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones output. On back panel of deice there are : 2 RCA linear outputs ( left and right ), USB port for powering and connection to computer, phantom power +48 V switch and Kensington Lock slot; on top panel of audio interface there are placed microphone/linear and instrumental inputs gain and linear outputs volume control knobs.

USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 ( back panel )
USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 ( back panel )

Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 draws only 2.5 W of energy and works in Mac OS X without additional drivers with Core Audio interface support; in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 it works through ASIO 4 All driver; in both OSes device interacts with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others, All analogue inputs and outputs of device are unbalanced. With Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 DAW Tracktion is supplied, after its purchase from manufacturer’s website there is ability to download different VST/AU instruments and effects and various other applications. Device’s body is made from aluminum, its sizes are 46.45 ( height ) x 128 ( depth ) x 118 ( width ) mm and mass is 300 g.

USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 ( top view )
USB audio interface Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 ( top view )

Package with Behringer U-PHORIA UM2 contains : USB cable, 3-year warranty card and user’s guide. Audio interface is good as compact sounds recording device with low power consumption and it can be viewed for purchase, when these qualities are imperative and mono-signal recording is enough; probably, its price will also be not high. But there are compact devices with better characteristics, for example, ESI UGM96, as well as others. If compactness and low power consumption are not so important, then there is ability to find USB audio interface of entry, middle and top level with much better characteristics of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio, Alesis and other companies production.

Focusrite Clarett 8Pre – Thunderbolt audio interface with 192 kHz, 24 bits, 18 inputs, 20 outputs and 119 dB dynamic range

Thunderbolt audio interface Focusrite Clarett 8Pre
Thunderbolt audio interface Focusrite Clarett 8Pre

Among the most functional devices of Focusrite company there is a Thunderbolt audio interface Clarett 8Pre with 192 kHz and 24 bits work mode, 18 inputs, 20 outputs and 119 dB dynamic range. On its frontal panel there are : 2 combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/instrumental Hi-Z/linear inputs; phantom power +48 V enabling buttons for inputs 1-4 and 5-8; gain control knobs for 8 inputs with instrumental mode indicators for first two ones and Air function activity for all of them. Then follow : Thunderbolt connection, MIDI connection and device blocking signalers; screen, showing signal levels and clipping of 8 inputs and 2 main outputs; Direct Monitor switch and mute buttons with volume control; 2 TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones outputs with volume control knobs; as well as power button with indicator.

Thunderbolt audio interface Focusrite Clarett 8Pre ( back panel )
Thunderbolt audio interface Focusrite Clarett 8Pre ( back panel )

On back panel of Focusrite Clarett 8Pre there are : power line input; TRS 1/4″ jack digital coaxial S/PDIF input and output; MIDI input and output; Thunderbolt port for connection to computer; optical digital TOSLINK input and output; time synchronization connector with other devices; 10 linear outputs ( 1st and 2nd are main ); and 6 more combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack microphone/linear outputs. Analogue outputs are balanced, all inputs are unbalanced. Microphone inputs of Focusrite Clarett 8Pre have following characteristics : THD+N 0.001 %, dynamic range 118 dB, noise level -128 dB; first two parameters of linear inputs are 0.005 % and 118 dB; of instrumental inputs are 0.001 % and 111 dB, accordingly. Dynamic range of monitor outputs is 117 dB, linear 119 dB, THD+N of both types is 0.0007 %; the same parameters of monitor headphones outputs are 112 dB and 0.0008 %, accordingly. Device’s sizes are 482.5 ( width ) x 43.9 ( height ) x 291 ( depth ) mm and mass is 4.35 kg, its body is made from aluminum with red color.

Focusrite Clarett 8Pre works only in Mac OS X 10.9 and newer with support of Core Audio interface for interaction with modern DAWs : FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, REAPER, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Steinberg Cubase and others. Manufacturer promises support of Windows in near time. With it following programs are supplied : Focusrite Control ( mixer and device control panel ), 1 GB of sound samples Loopmasters and Focusrite Red 2 and Red 3 plugins package; also package with Focusrite Clarett 8Pre contains : power line cable, disk with drivers, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, audio interface is great and has high-level characteristics and large amount of connectors, it is designed for use in large studios and is a great solution for them. For small studios and in-home recordings there is ability to look on USB audio interfaces of Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio, Alesis and other manufacturers production, with the same characteristics and components quality, but with smaller connectors amount and much lower price.

Alesis Core 1 – USB audio interface with 1 input, 1 output, 24 bits and 48 kHz and aluminum body

USB audio interface Alesis Core 1
USB audio interface Alesis Core 1

Among products of Alesis company there are different devices, for example, USB audio interfaces, one of them is a Core 1 – device with 1 input, 1 output, 24 bits and 48 kHz work mode support and aluminum body. On its frontal panel there are : TRS 1/4″ jack monitor headphones output, their volume control, input gain control, its work mode switch between linear and instrumental Hi-Z modes and USB port for connection to computer and powering. On its back panel there is combined XLR/TRS 1/4″ jack analogue input.

USB audio interface Alesis Core 1 ( back panel )
USB audio interface Alesis Core 1 ( back panel )

Alesis Core 1 works in Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and Mac OS X 10.7 and newer with support of ASIO 2.0 and Core Audio interfaces, through which it interacts with modern DAWs : REAPER, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, Cackewalk Sonar, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton Live and others. It can be connected to Apple iPad and iPhone via Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit; after purchase there is ability to download from manufacturer’s website DAW Cubase LE.

Package with Alesis Core 1 audio interface contains : USB cable, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, this is a good interface of entry-level, which will fit small and in-home studios; taking into account company’s prices policy, there is ability to anticipate, that Alesis will set on it acceptable price and, when there is no need in very functional device and compactness and mobility are needed, then Alesis Core 1 can be viewed as great solution for its tasks. There is also need to note, that other manufacturers : Steinberg, Behringer, Focusrite, Roland, ESI, M-Audio and others, also have good entry-level USB audio interfaces with acceptable price.